Fundraiser Giveaways

If you or your church, school, community or charity organization is planning a fundraiser to raise money , you may want to consider purchasing some type of giveaway to encourage people to donate and participate.  The giveaway items do not have to be large or extravagant; they should simply be a small token of appreciation or serve as a remembrance of the event.  The right items may also help to attract future donors and volunteers for the next event.

Items to Give Away at Fundraisers

It is very common to see T-shirts being given out at charity races or sporting events.  Carnivals may inspire personalized balloons or glow in the dark toys.  Schools have a plethora of items to choose from to promote their event, such as pencils and bookmarks, movie or carnival passes, candy, grab bags, small toys or pencil boxes.

There are many useful websites dedicated to supplying these types of giveaways.  Some also offer fundraising services such as candy or magazine sales.

When organizing the fundraiser, it is important to have a budget in place.  The bottom line will be the proposed amount of donations and funds that will be brought in by the event.  A small portion of that amount can be set aside to purchase fundraiser giveaways, most of which cost very little and can be used over and over again for various events, depending on the item ordered.

High End Fundraisers

High end fundraisers are the best way to raise money for any community organization, charity, school or church group.  High profit fundraisers tend to fall into four categories: School, Church, Sports and Charity.  Those four groups tend to hold the most fundraisers and as such, typically raise the most money for their organizations.

School

School fundraisers are the biggest segment in the fundraising industry.  The issue raised by organizing a school fundraiser is that the ages of the children involved tend to vary widely and, therefore, the fundraiser must be structured so that all of the children (and their families) can participate and contribute.

Church Group

The ideas and needs surrounding church fundraisers are many.  Unlike many organizations, churches often depend on fundraisers to meet operating expenses.  There are many websites available that offer fundraising ideas for churches, despite the size and need.

Sports

Sports fundraisers are held for a number of reasons, including covering the expenses of maintaining a sports field, buying programs, uniforms or sending the team on trips and away games.

Non-profit/Charity/Community

Non-Profit/Charity/Community organizations are perhaps the most diverse group as the groups may range from children’s programs to community clean up, animal rescue to erecting a health clinic.  Therefore, the choices for fundraisers must also be as diverse.  High profit fundraisers may include selling advertising in a specific publication, selling candy or magazines, or benefit concerts.

Fundraising Ideas for the Whole Family

Often fundraising efforts have to be cast out because the organization holding the fundraiser does not have enough experience, volunteers or ideas to raise funds for their cause.  There are many websites that offer fundraising ideas for all ages and abilities.  The benefit of using such websites is that the fundraising ideas are typically tried and true, removing some of the trial and error out of trying a new event.

The best way to choose a new fundraiser is to consider how much money the organization needs to raise, how many people are available to organize and volunteer, and the facilities and supplies available.  It is also important to know if the organization can or will receive any kind of community support.

Fundraising Ideas for Everyone

For children’s events, fundraising ideas that work well include selling handmade items or food, from a child’s art auction to homemade lollipops – just as dunking booths are always popular, particularly at school functions.  Children may also enjoy collecting pennies door to door or participating in game tournaments where each child is sponsored by an adult or other group.

For adults, there are many more options, including selling calendars, bake sales, sporting events, karaoke nights, kissing contests, home goods parties and quilt sales.

When choosing what type of fundraiser to have, create a list of ten fundraising ideas and then discuss the list and the pros and cons of each to arrive at the best choice.

Community Fundraising Help

Many organizations are able to offer help to communities that are willing to hold fundraising events on their behalf.  For example, if a community or local chapter of a regional or national fundraiser wants to hold an event to benefit the parent organization, the parent organization may offer support to make the local event a success.

There are several ways in which this can be accomplished.  Typically, the regional or national charity has a newsletter, RSS feed, social network contacts (such as a Facebook page) and e-mail list that can help spread the word about the local event.

Fundraising in Your Community

Many organizations will supply fliers, press materials, promotional items or educational tools to help inform the public.  Some organizations will also have volunteer rosters filled with people that may be able to lend a hand in organizing the event or participate in the event itself on the day it is held.

The benefits of receiving this sort of help are numerous.  Exposure is one of the most important keys to holding a successful fundraising campaign.  Regional and/or national organizations usually have the resources to spread the word about events; resources that a small community may not have.  Also, charities often have a team of supporters that may assist in raising money and bringing in other supporters and donors.  Larger groups may also be able to have items donated, whereas a small fundraising group may have to pay out for miscellaneous items.

How to Promote a Fundraiser

Running a fundraiser is one of the most important ways in which to raise money for a charity. Once you have the initial idea in your head and have planned the event, it’s important to focus on PR and promotion as well as the development of marketing materials. After all, if nobody comes to your event, you won’t raise any money.

Promoting a Fundraiser

Promoting the event can turn into a very hectic and busy job in the final few days before it takes place. Get around this by putting someone in charge of PR or community outreach. It’s a good idea to appoint someone who has prior experience of marketing or sales. Talking to the press can be very daunting, and events can be a logistical nightmare when it comes to VIPs, so make sure the person you delegate is up to the task.

Develop quality marketing tools and build a brand for your fundraiser. Most of the time it’s possible to piggyback off the existing brand of the charity, but if your event can appeal to the community or if you can add a unique spin on the event, it becomes more than a simple fundraiser and people are more likely to attend. Draw up a timeline of marketing and PR details; book time for community radio interviews long before the scheduled date. You will also do well to set up a Facebook group and interlink with Twitter to promote the event; the Internet allows you to find larger numbers of people with shared interests, and social networking allows you to hone in on your target audience cheaply and effectively.

If everything goes to plan on the day (which it will if you prepare everything meticulously), then a sense of professionalism and class will shine through and make people more likely to respect your event and any others you host afterwards. The single most important aspect is that the fundraiser does its job, but it can’t accomplish this unless people inherently want to go to.

Fundraising News: Mark Owen Donates to Micro Charity

In recent Fundraising News, Mark Owen, a member of Take That, has donated ten VIP tickets to the band’s upcoming show at Wembley to benefit Rainbow School, a micro charity that raises funds to help children with autism.  The tickets will be auctioned off with proceeds going to Rainbow School, a charity organization that has been supported and patronized by Owen, who has been an ongoing patron and supporter.

Rainbow School to Benefit

Rainbow School, founded in 2000, is a school located in South West London.  It was established by parents of children that have been diagnosed with autism.  The Rainbow School is only the third school of its kind to operate in the UK.  The facility offers a structured program of intensive intervention using the principles of Verbal Behaviour (VB) and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

Mark Owen talks about his visit to the school last year: “Last summer I was approached by a friend and neighbor who has a son with autism and she introduced me to a friend of hers, whose son goes to Rainbow School.”

Mark was surprised to learn that he was so close to the school and yet had not known about it.  “Rainbow School was, unbeknown to me, literally only yards away from my front door and so after taking a tour of the school, meeting the children and its founder Karen, I decided that I’d really like to help in whatever way possible to support these amazing people.”

Sheen Supports Micro Lending Via Ticket Sales

Actor Charlie Sheen has been in the news a great deal lately, mostly for all the wrong reasons. In fact, Sheen has created quite a buzz with his spontaneous micro lending to charity.  Since the beginning of Sheen’s Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour, the actor has devoted a portion of ticket sales to helping various charity organizations in need of support.

Lending for Charity Organizations at the Forefront

During the Toronto portion of Sheen’s tour, part of the total ticket sales went to support disaster relief organizations in Japan.  Sheen also asked fans to participate in a two kilometer walk to raise funds for the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder.  The actor also announced that he would match the donations dollar for dollar.

Last week, Sheen’s publicist announced the actor’s plans to donate funds from merchandise sales to the Bryan Stow Fund.  Bryan Stow is a baseball fan that was viciously attacked and severely beaten at a San Francisco Giants game.  Currently, Stow’s doctors are attempting to revive Stow from a medically induced coma.  Stow, 42, was attacked in the parking lot of the stadium by two men that have not yet been identified.  There is a $100,000 reward to anyone that can identify Stow’s attackers.

Stow’s co-workers have planned a micro charity fund raiser.  Supporters wishing to make online donations may do so through the family’s Facebook page.  Sheen’s micro lending donation to the Bryan Stow Fund is the first from Sheen’s Korner Foundation.

Crowd Funding Efforts and Ricky Gervais Helping to Save Chimpanzees

Microgiving proudly supports Ricky Gervais’ crowd funding efforts.  The world renowned comedian, often poking fun at many things in today’s society including the latest foibles of Charlie Sheen,  isn’t laughing about the plight of 14 chimpanzees recently moved to a Texas laboratory.  The chimps have been slated for use in dangerous and painful medical experiments, a program funded by the U.S. government.

Gervais recently penned a letter to the Director of the National Institutes of Health.  “Scientists around the world are deeply concerned about the ethical and scientific problems associated with using humankind’s closest living genetic relatives in painful and invasive experiments.  Over the past few decades, we’ve learned that chimpanzees are astonishingly smart and deeply sensitive beings.  That is a key reason why the United Kingdom banned licenses for experiments on chimpanzees more than a decade ago.”

Crowd Funding: Efforts to Save Chimpanzees

Charity organizations around the world have been battling to save the chimpanzees for years with varying degrees of success.  New Zealand, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium have all stopped invasive chimpanzee experiments.

Gervais went on to say in his letter that he knew the US federal government was currently examining the moral and also the scientific problems associated with chimpanzee experiments.  He added that he felt it was not right to keep the 14 chimpanzees at Texas Biomed, where they were still being used in invasive experiments.

It is hoped that the Director of the National Institutes of Health will listen to those involved in crowd funding efforts and cease the operation.

David Hyde Pierce Calls for Charity Donations

Emmy and Tony award winning actor David Hyde Pierce, best known for his role in the TV sitcom Frasier and his generous charity donations, will serve as the emcee for the 8th annual National Alzheimer’s Gala to be held in Washington D.C. on April 6th^, 2011.

The National Alzheimer’s Gala is an annual black-tie fundraising dinner extravaganza designed to benefit the education, care and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.  The gala’s proceeds will also benefit the charity organization’s support programs.  Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association is supported by some of the most respected and influential people in political, business, entertainment, philanthropic, media and social arenas.  These leaders gather together to help celebrate advances in the ongoing fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  More than 750 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

To date, the annual National Alzheimer’s Gala event has raised over $9 million.  The funds have been used to address the growing number of people reported to have Alzheimer’s disease.  All throughout the year the Alzheimer’s Association supplies funds to support cutting-edge research with the hope of finding a cure for this mysterious illness.  The donations raised via the annual gala and the charity’s website help to increase awareness while addressing the needs of millions of Alzheimer’s sufferers and their caregivers.

Making Charity Donations

For those that cannot attend the gala but would like to still support the Alzheimer’s Association, making charity donations is easy – donors can make online donations at http://www.alz.org.

Online Charity Donation Requested by UK Royals

Online Charity Donation News: It is no secret that the UK’s Prince William and Kate Middleton are preparing to wed. The event, which will surely be touted as the wedding of the century, has added a new twist to aiding in various charitable organizations. The couple has asked that people will consider donating to one of twenty-six charities, including various disaster relief organizations, instead of honoring them with a wedding gift. The funds donated will be disbursed through a charity created by Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry.

Making an Online Donation

“Having been touched by the goodwill shown them since the announcement of their engagement, Prince William and Miss Middleton have asked that anyone who might wish to give them a wedding gift consider giving instead to a charitable fund,” said a royal spokesman. “The couple have chosen to take the chance to benefit some causes that have less exposure or which are undertaking valuable work in areas of the community which the couple feel would benefit from this support.”

One of the charities featured in the program is the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, an organization offering emergency financial assistance. William toured some of the areas that incurred the most damage, commenting that the destruction has been “unbelievable.” William also recognized the Urban Search and Rescue teams for their hard work: “You guys have been doing a sterling job. You really have. You have done fantastically well.”

Those wishing to make an online charity donation may do so through the website for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, the Salvation Army or Red Cross NZ.

UB40 Hosts Benefit to Help Poor People

A series of benefit concerts to help poor people this week in Namibia are being headlined by British band UB40. A reggae band who formed in Birmingham, England in the late 1970s, UB40 are best known for hit singles like “Red Red Wine” and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The band is scheduled to perform three shows during three nights throughout the British countryside. Also entertaining will be some of South Africa’s most popular artists. The event, which will begin on February 24, is called “UB40 For Hope.” Funds raised by the concerts will benefit Hope Village Namibia.

Vision to Help Those in Need

Hope Village Namibia is a non-profit organization not affiliated with the South African government. The vision and inspiration for helping poor people came to its founder Marietjie de Klerk in a dream. According to the charity’s website: “Hope Village was started by Marietjie de Klerk in 2004 as a result of a dream that formed her heart after working with Mother Theresa in Calcutta and seeking the multitude of orphaned children in Namibia.

“About 200,000 children are orphaned by HIV/AIDS and the number is growing daily. This is the biggest tragedy in the history of Namibia. But we refuse to be stunned into passivity by this silent killer.”

The program can be seen as one of the most effective disaster relief organizations in South Africa, offering help, love and support to people in need in the poverty stricken country. This type of care also provides much needed funding for emergency financial assistance such as medical care.

If you would like to help poor people, consider registering with Microgiving.com today and give financial assistance to someone in need.

Celebrities Get Involved in Charity Donations

Charity Donations: Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and other special guests will be performing at an upcoming charity event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Bunbury Celebrity Cricket Team. Funds raised at the event will benefit the AF Foundation as well as the English School’s Cricket Association and Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Centre for alcohol and drug dependency. The AF Foundation raises monies to develop and maintain child rehabilitation and physiotherapy facilities throughout the UK, helping poor people that may not be eligible for care otherwise.

The event will be hosted by British impressionist Rory Bremner and will take place in London at the Grosvenor House Hotel’s Great Room on May 7, 2011. Special guests include ex British politician Jeffrey Archer and journalist Jonny Gould.

Donations Needed

Drawing in charity donations, including online donations, is vital to the success of the event. This year’s event, entitled Bunbury’s Big 25th Birthday Ball, has the chance of being more successful than in previous years. The organization consists of a conglomeration of groups, allowing for more donations as it negates the need for supporters of each charity to be approached individually. The event also allows people to take part in micro credit giving.

Other famous guests include the victorious England cricket Ashes squad of 2010/11. The charity was founded by Sir David English 35 years ago. To date, the Bunbury Celebrity Cricket club has raised more than £12 million ($19.45 million) from various charity donations over the last 25 years.

Help People – Jordin Sparks’ Charitable Giving

While many young stars of today are consumed with fame and fortune, Jordin Sparks is committed to help people less fortunate than herself.  Jordin won American Idol three short years ago in 2007 when she was just 17.  Even though she is legally not an adult, Jordin Sparks behaves beyond her years, especially when it comes to her charitable efforts and drive to help people.

Jordin Sparks Holds Charity Giving Experience In February to Help People Less Fortunate

Jordin Sparks is wise enough to hold her annual charity event during times that do not clash with the Superbowl; she will hold the fourth annual Jordin Sparks Experience two days prior to the 2011 event.  The Experience is actually comprised of two separate events; the first is a Teddy Bear Picnic aimed at families, while the second is a charity evening gala for adults.  Proceeds from both events will help fund I’m MAD About You, Jordin’s campaign to “Make A Difference”, which is all about helping people to discover their own life goals whilst making a difference to the lives of others.  This concept works similarly to Ghandi’s philosophy of “no matter how small your action, you can make a difference.”

Beyond this event, Jordin has actively supported Alex’s Lemondade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer and the X The TXT Campaign.  X The TXT is focused on eliminating texting while driving.  After the BP oil spill, Jordin became involved with the Audubon Society.

Microgiving.com is amazed the wisdom of Ms. Sparks’ youth; we applaud her efforts to make a difference through charitable giving.  Like Ms. Sparks, Microgiving.com works to help people make a difference in the lives of others.  If you would like to work with Microgiving and help people as a donor – or you might benefit from our assistance as a recipient – please visit our website.

Streisand is Generous with Charity Resources

Barbra Streisand’s generosity gives charity resources to millions of people. The famous songstress’ career has led to her receiving many music awards, over the years, and her resources have supported not only the creative arts, but also the environment, human rights, advocating for peace, unemployment and career support, voter education, weapons reduction, women’s rights and now, women’s cardiac health.

Streisand’s Most Recent Recipient of Charity Resources is Mt. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Streisand’s private charity foundation was created in 1986. Through the Foundation, Streisand has donated millions to a broad continuum of causes. In 2007 alone, she donated $16 million through the Foundation from concerts to education, civic rights, and women’s health. Within the past few years, she donated $1 million to Clinton’s global change initiative. In October, Streisand donated personal items of hers to be auctioned by BiddingForGood. The donation contributed to an amount of $100 million, which was donated to schools and non-profits by the auction.
Now she is focused on women’s cardiac health through Mt. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Streisand has pledged up to $5 million to match donations through Edward Norton’s new charitable website. Her goal is to raise $10 million for women’s cardiac health research at Cedars-Sinai.
Barbra Streisand’s career has garnered 51 gold, 30 platinum and 18 multi-platinum albums. Beyond sales of 71.5 million albums over time, Streisand has received every type of award available to such musical greats. In celebration of this legendary career and her unparalleled donations charity resources, in February 2011 Ms. Streisand will receive MusiCares Person of the Year.
Microgiving.com applauds Ms. Streisand’s career and her dedication to helping important causes. Like, Ms. Streisand, Microgiving is dedicated to helping others through charitable giving. If you would like to contribute to Microgiving’s charity resources as a donor – or if you feel you could benefit from our assistance as a recipient – register today.

Former Bad Boy Penn Uses Time to Help People.

Sean Penn was once best known for tearing up hotel rooms and punching paparazzi; he now uses his time to help people. In fact, last month he received the coveted Hollywood Humanitarian Award from the Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards organization.

Penn’s Desire to Help People Now Centers on Haiti

Penn has always been a political activist; in 2002 he paid $56,000 to publish an open letter to then President Bush, imploring him to end the violence in Iraq. But Penn has also helped several charities over the years; two of these are Believe in Dreams and LA GOAL. Believe is dedicated to help people who are chronically ill to make their everyday lives easier, while LA GOAL is geared to help people who are developmentally disabled adults; individuals much like Penn’s 2001 character in I am Sam. In 2005, Penn was in Louisiana immediately after Hurricane Katrina; helping to rescue victims and begin rebuilding New Orleans.

These efforts, though, are pale to those Penn has dedicated to Haiti. Immediately following the January earthquake, Penn was in Haiti and established the Jenkins-Penn Haitian Relief Organization (JP HERO). JP HERO is the camp manager for a tent city with 55,000 Haitian residents. It has since become known as Camp Penn and is viewed as a city of hope. Working with multiple government entities and the US military, 70 volunteers work in the camp. It is run with no administrative overhead so that all donations given to JP HERO go directly to the Haiti effort. So impressive are the camp’s accomplishments, that the Clinton Foundation has donated $1 million to help JP HERO continue its work to help people. Thanks to Penn’s success, schools are opening, health care is available and rubble is being cleared away so that people might return to their homes.

Microgiving congratulates Sean Penn and the success of his humanitarian work. Like Mr. Penn, Microgiving strives to improve the lives of those in need. If you would like to join our recipients list, or would like to help people and learn more about becoming a donor, please visit our website.

Micro Lending Successful in Haiti

A Haitian micro lending program known as Zafèn has seen wild success since its inception six months ago. An online financing effort, Zafèn’s success has awarded lending to 300 projects for the Haiti effort. Businesses ranging from small to medium-size have received up to $140,000.

Zafèn’s Micro Lending Results in Quick Repayment

To qualify for funding from Zafèn, the business project must demonstrate a positive impact throughout the community by going green, hiring additional employees or creating work efficiencies. Four organizations came together to found Zafèn: the International Vincentian Family, DePaul University in Chicago, Fonkoze (a bank in Haiti set up to help the poor), and the Haitian Hometown Associations Resource Group. These four agencies have collaborated to create access to funds that would result in a sustainable difference, rather than simply providing financial aid. The agencies credit the idea behind establishing Zafèn to micro financing leaders such as Kiva and the Grameen Foundation.

Zafèn’s micro lending efforts are particularly well-placed. Program funds have allowed 1,500 children to receive scholarships and 51 entrepreneurs have been supplied with micro-loans. Already, entrepreneurs that have been awarded loans have already started repayments. In fact, two of the businesses have fulfilled their loan repayment completely, while another seven are in the repayment process.  Some of the projects that have been awarded range from milk distribution to a solar water pump for a plant nursery, to farmer training on crop diversification – all efforts that can make a huge difference.

Microgiving is excited to hear of the success of Zafèn. When agencies and people collaborate, the results can be astounding. Like Zafèn, Microgiving works with donors and recipients to create sustainable differences across all communities. If you would like to join Microgiving and take part in micro lending, please visit our website – and prepare to be astounded!

Leaders of Charity Organizations Recognized

In dedication to recognizing leaders of charity organizations who show vision, passion and talent, a nonprofit independent organization, the Meyer Foundation, has just announced the five 2010 recipients of the Meyer Exponent Award.

Exponent Award Expands Leadership of Charity Organizations

The Exponent Award rewards the vision and passion of nonprofit leaders in the Washington DC community by providing a grant of $100,000 to the successful nominee. The award allows charities to provide much-needed leadership training and fulfill other needs that a nonprofit agency may find difficulty in funding during times of economic uncertainty.

One of the recipients, Jean-Michel Giraud, Executive Director of the Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place, managed to significantly increase his organization’s budget in 2010. In fact, successful appeals to donors have allowed the Community Council to increase its budget by 34% over 2009 so that it can continue to meet the greater needs of the community.

The other four Exponent recipients have seen successes across the areas of HIV/Aids education for teens, the rights of women who have suffered human trafficking and domestic violence, and advocating for children with special needs. Each of these leaders have pushed through difficult times and accomplished much for their organization this year.

Much like the charity organizations mentioned in this article, Microgiving strives in difficult economic times to meet the needs of individuals and families seeking financial assistance – if you are able to donate online, or might benefit from our assistance, please search our website and discover how charitable micro credit can help today.

Small Businesses Use Creativity to Give to Charity

As it is difficult for businesses to give to charity in the current economy, small businesses and entrepreneurs are turning to more creative avenues to accomplish their charitable efforts. From working with business partners to increase their impact, to supporting employee volunteer efforts, small business owners are changing the way in which they donate to charity.

Tight Cash Flows Provide New Opportunities to Give

Employers such as Gumas Advertising, Gentle Giant, Amnet and Idea Marketing may be feeling the strain of the economic climate, but these companies are still working to help take care of their communities and philanthropic causes. Rather than step away from charitable giving, they are using other avenues to help meet the needs of charitable resources. Some of these ideas not only benefit the way in which the employer can give to charity, but they benefit the charity as well.

For instance, Amnet used a charity golf sponsorship to continue support of the local Humane Society, while providing entertainment for its clients.

As another example, Idea Marketing not only provided the creative material for a campaign by Mi Casa Resource Center in Denver, it also used its business clout to negotiate a print and bulk mail discount for Mi Casa.

Gentle Giant, a moving company, used business downtime as a result of the economy to provide logistical services to Partners in Health, an organization that provides medical services to the poor. While providing those services, Gentle Giant was able to strike business relationships with those donating the medical supplies.

Helping People Affect Positive Change in the Lives of Others

Rather than stop charitable giving during tough economic times, these entrepreneurs seek creative ways to accomplish their cause. We at Microgiving.com greatly admire their spirit of genuine kindness and persistance, and in turn, we also seek to work with individuals across communities to creatively meet the needs of the less fortunate.  If you would like to donate online and give to charity, or can personally benefit from charitable assistance, please visit our website.

Global Giant Advances Smart Corporate Philanthropy

With a long history of corporate philanthropy through corporate citizenship, global giant, Accenture has recently announced a move to smarten its efforts through a worldwide initiative.

Philanthropy Resources To Be Used To Teach 250,000 By 2015

Accenture has a strong history of corporate citizenship, but they are now in the process of redirecting that citizenship into smart corporate philanthropy. For the past year, Accenture has been developing its Skills to Succeed program, which aims to teach 250,000 people world-wide necessary business and technology skills. Estimated to cost over $100 million, Skills to Succeed has enjoyed recent success in Brazil.

In Brazil, Skills partnered with local agencies to create Conexao, which has become the local chapter of Youth Business International. This teaching partnership has so far trained 13,500 young people. Of those trained, 3,500 are now employed, and an additional 124 new enterprises have received program support.

Accenture is taking Skills to Succeed worldwide, so that its money and resources are spent “smartly” by getting a “bigger bang for the buck” and making a long-term sustainable difference in communities and programs. With Skills, Accenture will ensure long-term success by teaching the appropriate business and job skills. Now that’s what we call effective philanthropy.

Personal Philanthropy

In addition to corporate philanthropy, your own efforts can be spent smartly by using a micro credit website like microgiving.com – we are focused on helping those in need by making a sustainable difference in their lives.  If you would like to donate to philanthropy efforts, please do so today.

Relief Organizations Receive Pepsi Funds

Relief organizations and individuals are being encouraged byPepsiCo’s Refresh Project to suggest novel ideas that will help those affected by the disaster. Refresh Project provides up to $1.3 million in grants each month and has recently seen an extension being added to its program. As a result of the BP oil spill, Pepsi has created the “Do Good for Gulf” program, which aims to award funds to  The grants range from $5,000 to $250,000, and four South Mississippi relief organizations are among the 32 finalists to be rewarded.

Many Charity Organizations are Considered

The needs of the Gulf as a result of the oil spill are numerous. Ideas that have been sent to Pepsi by relief organizations cover a myriad of causes, some of which include:

The provision of mental health services to people directly affected by the spill
The building of a second ‘Home for Hope’ for the children of families affected
The provision of mobile medical care to seniors in New Orleans
The building of a marsh observation deck to share the importance of the marshlands
Renovation of a future day care center for children affected by the Gulf
Creation of a pet food bank for animals found along the Gulf shores
Emergency aid for families in financial crisis as a result of the spill
Free accounting services for those filing claims against the BP fund

There is certainly no shortage of creativity among the participants, with 240 entries and 32 finalists.  Pepsi is allotting a total of $1.3 million to fund the final 32.

Microgiving loves to see corporate citizens such as Pepsi step up and provide much needed help for communities. If you would like to give to charity and help fund various relief organizations, please do so and see the difference that you can make today.